The Heist - Ryan Lewis
User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. NickWizz
    Nov 6, 2012
    9
    The Heist is slick, tightly arranged, meaningful lyric album. It has a good mixture of radio friendly songs to hook the average listener but only to surprise you with the artistic soulful jams. I highly recommend this album.
  2. 1stBorn
    Nov 18, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I first heard of both Macklemore & Ryan Lewis from The VS. EP. Since then, I knew Macklemore would be a star. Wanting to support a fellow Seattleite, I pre-ordered the album. And I got to say, this album is fantastic, these guys find the perfect balance between upbeat silly songs (Thrift Shop, Castle & Gold), fist-pumping anthems (Can't Hold Us & Jimmy Iovine) and the somber, thought provoking songs (Same Love, Make The Money, Starting Over & Wing$). Macklemore is a very compassionate rapper. And you can't help but always be invested in what he says. Ryan Lewis is a great producer especially when he uses live instrumentation to help paint the setting that Macklemore's stories take place in. Same Love and Wing$ were my highlights on this album.

    I do have a couple issues for this album. First, as much as I like both artists, I feel like the appearences of ScHoolboy Q & Ab-Soul (on White Walls & Jimmy Iovine) are completely unneccessary. Q's verse, and the whole song for that matter, completely contradict the album's sentiment. Soulo only does the chorus for the other song and it is so drowned in vocal effects you could barely tell. That plus the song Cowboy Boots is a pretty weak way to end the album.

    Having said that, this album is truely an awesome album, with only a couple songs I could've done without, the songs that I liked are fantastic songs. If you haven't already, go cop this album. You'll probably not see an artist as original as Macklemore and you won't find a lot of people as big and as brave enough to talk about gay rights, consumerism, staying true to the fans, and thrift shop ballin' all on one album.    … Expand
  3. Curran_Conradi
    Dec 3, 2012
    10
    The Era of Conscious Rap Artists

    Macklemore a.k.a Ben Haggerty and his producer, also longtime friend, Ryan Lewis are an unsigned rap duo from Seattle, Washington. With a plethora of singles this duo has become YouTube famous but still kept them under the radar and out of mainstream music, until October 9 when the duo released
  4. SchroederRock
    Jan 8, 2013
    8
    Seattle-based hip hop artist Macklemore with the help of long-time production collaborator Ryan Lewis find a way to create one of 2012's best under-the-radar hit albums. The quirky and insanely good "Thrift Shop" easily stands out as one of the favorites of this superb album. The Heist comes out swinging with a great lineup, kicking off with "Ten Thousand Hours", Macklemore's finally-made-it statement. The following "Can't Hold Us Down" features the occasional spitfire rap with a little touch of old school gospel without the huge church choir. Macklemore tackles social issues with homophobics on "Same Love", encouraging people to abstain from sexual-based discrimination. Throughout, The Heist carries a classical weight that only cautiously pushes big-production, using that only to enhance some tracks instead of having Macklemore lean on them for support. The talent is there and the culmination is excellent. Seattle may not have to be remembered for being a grunge & indie music town after all.… Expand
  5. Dancey
    Mar 21, 2013
    10
    Not only did it deftly blend humour, inspiration and wonder. The Heist is a groundbreaking album and possibly the best rap album for a good few years. I loved every song, it had it's own attraction, and it's own charm. I can't fault
  6. XerSMMack
    Jan 29, 2013
    10
    What an amazing album. No two songs alike and not a single one like something you have heard before. Original, fresh, frosty, and lyrically superior to any other rap albums out there. Thrift shop put him on the map but it's not even the best song. Highly recommend to anyone whether you have a broken keyboard or not.
  7. axelkoch
    Dec 6, 2012
    7
    Macklemore could still better himself, but he is really great currently, regardless. Ryan Lewis made also a very good job as the producer, but it's not as good as it could be. Macklemore's rhymes and wordplays are just mediocre. Furthermore, only a couple of songs really give you a good feeling - however no song could reach 'Otherside'. Still I'd say it's one of the 10 best albums in 2012 because the lyrics achieve a bonus point.… Collapse
  8. ballahBhenry
    Dec 7, 2012
    10
    Macklemore really stepped up to the plate to give out a great piece of music with Ryan Lewis. A great album, basically perfect, pretty much all of the songs have a great beat and his raps flow with ease, he has a promising future ahead of him.
  9. B1ue24
    Feb 4, 2013
    10
    I really think only a couple things are needed said to describe this album and artist. Macklemore is a lyrical genius, an artist that puts issues that needed to be said into song. The song Wing$ is one of the best written songs I've ever heard and Same Love is just behind. The world needs more Macklemore music.
  10. Thegodfatherson
    Mar 3, 2013
    8
    Do you want Hip Hop mindless tracks? You've got them! In Ryan Lewis's The Heist. Epic music at the right time. Very well done album. The best song is thrift shop
  11. LanaDelRey
    Mar 24, 2013
    10
    One Of The Best Rap Albums Of All Time!
  12. josh_dont_care
    Apr 3, 2013
    10
    This is the best rap album PERIOD. Has the 2 catchiest songs ever. "Thrift Shop" and "Cant Hold Us ft Ray Dalton" Macklemore and Ryan Lewis make the best team ever, I just hope we see more of this
  13. music_master94
    Apr 27, 2013
    10
    I can only say: WOOOOOW! Why? "The Heist" should be the best hiphop-album of 2013! "Thrift Shop" is f**king awesome :D And nobody "can't hold us" :D
    The Heist is unbelievable because the lyric, the music, the rapper Macklemore and the producer Ryan Lewis make this album awesome! Lyric: Wonderful! Production: Awesome! Good job, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Q Magazine
    Mar 11, 2013
    60
    His imaginative, smartly delivered lyrics hold the attention during those moments when producer Lewis's beats don't quite match them for sparkle. [Apr 2013, p.94]
  2. Rolling Stone
    Nov 16, 2012
    50
    The record has its charms (the single "Thrift Shop," a cheeky ode to second-hand duds) and its virtues (the marriage-equality anthem "Same Love"). Unfortunately, Mack­lemore's virtuousness overwhelms his far more modest charms.
    Read full review
  3. All Music Guide
    Nov 8, 2012
    80
    Macklemore's a mix of all of the above with some distinctive qualities, and with Lewis putting that kaleidoscope style underneath, The Heist winds up a rich combination of fresh and familiar.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »